Method and arrangement for withdrawing air from spinning units

ABSTRACT

A textile installation for spinning fibrous material and converting it into yarn includes a plurality of spinning units arranged in substantially side-by-side relationship along a given direction. Each such unit has an air-discharge outlet for discharging air. A passage system extends along said direction, communicates with the discharge outlets, and communicates with the ambient atmosphere over at least a major portion of its length. In this way, the air flow discharged from each outlet will travel through such passage means to the atmosphere along substantially identical flow paths so as to maintain the air-flow and pressure conditions in each spinning unit substantially identical.

O United States Patent [1 1 [111 3,782,095 Bures et al. Jan. 1, 1974 METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR WITHDRAWING AIR FROM SPINNING [56] References Cited UNITS UNITED STATES PATENTS [75] Inventors: Ladislav Bures, Usti nad Orlici; 3,627,584 12/1971 Stewart et al 57/58.95 X Jaroslav Rajnoha, Tyniste nad 3,146,572 9/1964 Keyser 57/1 R Orlic i; Milan Chrtek, ceska w 2,976,668 3/l96l Reiterer 57/56 Trebova; Miroslav Cerny; Ctibor Doudlebsky, both of Usti nad Orlici; Primary Examiner-Donald E. Watkins Josef Hybl, Ceska Trebova, all of AttorneyMichael S. Striker Czechoslovakia [73] Assignee: Elitex, Zavody Textilniho [57] ABSTRACT Strojirenstvi, Liberec, A textile installation for spinning fibrous material and e osl ak a converting it into yarn includes a plurality of spinning [22] Filed: Fe! 2 1972 units arranged in substantially side-by-side relationship along a given direction. Each such umt has an air- [21] Appl. No.: 222,797 discharge outlet for discharging air. A passage system extends along said direction, communicates with the discharge outlets, and communicates with the ambient [30] Foreign Application prwmy Data atmosphere over at least a major portion of its length. Feb. l9, I971 Czechoslovakia 1248/71 In this y the air flow discharged from each outlet will travel through such passage means to the atmo- [52] US. Cl 57/56, 57/1 R, 57/58.89 sphere along Substantially identical flow paths so as to {51] ll?!- maintain the aipflow and Pressure conditions in each [58] Field of Search 57/1 R, 34 R, 56, spinning unit substantially identical 10 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATEHTEUJAN H974 SHEET 2 BF 2 lllllll IIIHI METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR WITHDRAWING AIR FROM SPINNING UNITS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to installations for spinning fibrous material and converting such material into yarn.

More particularly, the invention relates to open-end spinning machines.

In general, a flow of air is a necessary condition for many types of spinning machines, particularly openend spinning machines. In the later, the air flow feeds separated fibers to the spinning chamber and deposits such fibers on the collecting surface of the spinning chamber. In such spinning chamber, of course, the fibers are converted into yarn, by twisting or the like. The air flow which is necessary, for example, for feeding the fibers to be spun can be produced by a fan provided in or associated with the spinning chamber, the fan rotating together with the rotating part of the spinning chamber or merely being in association therewith. In many'cases, the air flow can be generated within the spinning chamber itself by the action of centrifugal force associated with moving components. As a still further possibility, of course, the air stream may be generated at a more or less remote location by a central fan which, for example, might supply a flow of air for a number of spinning units.

The airflow entering each spinning unit is of course more or le'sscontinually discharged from such unit, for example through special discharge outlets Disposal of the-discharged airflow presents numerous, and quite serious problems. I

Conventionally, the air flow is withdrawn from the individual spinning units by means of special overhead withdrawing channels, and conducted into overhead suction channels, which of course must be provided in v the processing rooms where such spinning operations take place. The provision of such conventional suction channels presents a considerable problem. It is difficult and costly to redesign existing rooms in spinning mills to accommodate extensive conduit systems; frequently the construction of aparticular spinning room is so poorly adapted for the modifications necessary that entirely new rooms must be built. This is obviously most inconvenient.

A particularly difficult problem arises when the ceilings in existing spinning rooms are low. In such event, it is often impossible to install the overhead conduit systems heretofore used without first raising the ceiling level. When possible at all, such reconstruction is extremely expensive, and generally impractical. Such difficulties greatly diminish otherwise desirable economy associated with open-end spinning installations, and greatly reduce the possibility of utilizing such installations.

Even when the dimensions and construction of rooms in a spinning mill are easily adaptable to the installation of open-end spinning machinery, a still further difficulty exists as a result of the overhead suctionwithdrawal conduits currently in use.

Overhead withdrawal conduit systems heretofore employed utilize suction to withdraw streams of air from individual spinning units, and then to convey such withdrawn air over considerable distances to a central collecting chamber. Usually, the suction required for such withdrawal and conveying is substantial, so that a central pressure arrangement must be provided which serves one or more such conduit systems and creates therein the suction necessary for making the conduit systems effective. The great problem with such systems, which directly affects the quality of the yarn being produced, is the existence of uneven underpressure and flow conditions throughout the withdrawal conduit system. Spinning units located near the central source of suction will be influenced by a very strong underpressure, whereas spinning units located at points along the conduit system which are far from the suction source will be served by a much reduced suction action. It follows that the conditions of air flow and underpressure within the actual confines of the different spinning units will vary greatly from unit to unit within a single installation. Accordingly, the force with which separated fibers are fed to the spinning-chamber collecting surface, and to a considerable extent the quantity of fibers fed and the rate and character of the feeding, will vary greatly from unit to unit. It becomes, as a result, extremely difficult to maintain uniform standards of yarn characteristics even within a single spinning installation. This situation is extremely undesirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is accordingly a general object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages associated with the prior art.

It is a more particular object of the invention to provide spinning installations in which the problem of airflow withdrawal is successfully and economically dealt with, and in which the problems described are at least largely overcome.

In accordance with a currently preferred embodiment of the invention, the novel textile installation includes a plurality of spinning units arranged in substantially side-by-side relationship along a given direction. Each such unit has a discharge outlet for discharge of air during operation of the unit. A passage system extends along the direction in which the spinning units are arranged and communicates with the respective discharge outlets, as well as with the ambient atmosphere, over at least a major portion of its length. In this way, the air flow discharged from each of the discharge outlets will travel through such passage system to the ambient atmosphere along substantially identical flow paths. As a result, the air-flow and pressure conditions within the plurality of spinning units will be largely identical.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a sectional view through a textile machine including one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view through another textile machine including another embodiment of the present invention;

l DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Discussing now the drawing in detail, it will be seen that in FIG. 1 a spinning machine is illustrated in sectional view. An internal space 1 is provided in the central, interior part of the spinning machine, and constitutes in this embodiment a part of the novel withdrawal system. The internal space 1 is provided in form of an elongated passage extending down the length of the spinning machine and defined by side walls 2, bottom 3 and upper housing portion 4.

Arranged along each side of passage 1 is a row of spinning units 5. Associated with each unit 5 is an air discharge outlet 6, which communicates with passage 1 and, during operation of the respective unit, discharges air thereinto.

As already mentioned, the passage 1 is closed at its upper portion by an upper housing portion 4 of the machine housing. Vents 7, in this embodiment, are provided in housing portion 4, and designed to discharge air streams to the atmosphere in substantially upwards direction. It will be noted, in particular, that the upper housing portion 4 includes two walls, each oriented at an angle to the horizontal. Such orientation facilitates discharge of air in upwards direction. In addition, the vents 7 themselves are provided with outlets of such design as to cause air to be discharged from the machine in upwards direction into the ambient atmosphere.

It will be appreciated that the air discharged through outlets 6 will contain possibly a very substantial amount of impurities, including dust, fiber fragments, shell particles, and contaminants of various kinds. Inasmuch as the air flow will be discharged to the ambient atmosphere, it is highly desirable that such contaminants be removed, as much as possible, beforehand. Thus, according to this embodiment of the invention, dust traps 8 are provided behind i.e. upstream of-vents 7 and may constitute filter inserts, or any other suitable arrangement, for separating small particles and impurities ll from the air 9 fed from spinning units 5. It is an advantageous expedient, with such construction, to permit these impurities 11 to fall to the bottom 'of passage l and be collected in dismountable collection channels. Such channels, of course, need not be dismountable, and instead of periodically removing them for cleaning purposes, they may be continuously cleaned in an automatic operation, if desired. Such continuous and automatic cleaning could proceed, for example, either pneumatically or mechanically, or possibly even electrostatically.

FIG. 2 shows another spinning machine including an embodiment of the invention. Again the passage arrangement is provided in form of a central, interior passage 1 extending within and along the length of the spinning machine. In this embodiment, vents 7 are provided on both the side walls 2 of the housing, as well as on the walls of the upper housing portion 4. Suitable impurities-removing means are provided, here in the form of simple filters 8 so arranged that air leaving through vents 7 must first pass therethrough. It should be quite clear that the filter means employed will depend on the quality of filtration desired, and in particular on the character and amount of impurities present in the air flow. Accordingly, while for the sake of simplicity of illustration only simple filter means are shown, the filtering may be accomplished through the use of more complicated, and even very sophisticated filtering techniques. Particularly when the air discharged into the atmosphere must be very free of impurities, for example because of the presence of personnel in the area, it may be desirable to provide highly effective, and considerably more involved filtering means, including perhaps special filtering stages cooperating with the spinning machine. Such possibilities will of course be understood to be comprehended within the scope of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows a still further installation according to the invention. Here, a more involved dust-trap arrangement is provided, comprising a plurality of dust-traps 8. Aside from the increased filter action associated with the provision of a large number of dust trap components, the dust traps 8-which may be of the kinds mentioned previouslyprovide guidance for the air 9, as shown.

FIG. 4 is a representational view showing the general appearance of a textile machine incorporating one of the embodiments of FIGS. 1-3. Clearly, when embodiments different from those of the drawing are constructed, the overall appearance of the machine may be quite different. It will be appreciated, nevertheless, that the machine depicted in FIG. 4 is simple, compact and convenient to install.

The method according to the invention is performed as follows:

Fibrous material is separated in the fiber-separating components of the textile installation of the invention, and sucked into the spinning chamber of the installation, under the influence of underpressure, the underpressure being maintained by the centrifugal action of the rotating spinning chamber itself, or being produced by an auxiliary source. The fibers are converted in the spinning chamber into yarn, while simultaneously air 9 is withdrawn from the respective spinning units 5,

through discharge outlet tubes 6, and enters the passage 1, located within the textile machine.

As a result, an overpressure of air 9 occurs within passage 1 whereupon air 9 and impurities 11 move towards the dust traps or filter inserts 8, which in turn separate the impurities from the air. The impurities 11 fall under the influence of gravity into the channels 12 positioned at the bottom 3 of the passage arrangement 1. At the same time, filtered air 9 escapes through vents 7 provided in the upper housing portions of the machine, to the ambient atmosphere.

Most advantageously, the air 9 in escaping through vents 7 blows upon the upper part of the machine and thereby removes impurities accumulated thereon, largely eliminating the heretofore so troublesome problems of sedimentation.

Advantageously, because the flow paths of air discharged from the individual units 5 are in effect identical, substantially identical conditions of air flow and pressure will prevail within the units 5. themselves, whereby uniformity of yarn characteristics will be greatly increased, and a frequent source of breakdown trouble removed.

The invention has been concretely illustrated in a particular type of spinning installation. As depicted, the passage means serving for withdrawal of discharged air is provided in the form of a central, interior space within the textile machine itself. it should be appreciated, however, that such disposition is by no means absolutely necessary. The passage arrangement may be different, depending on the particular application, and may be located otherwise with respect to the individual spinning units. Obviously, the spinning units need not be provided in two rows, but may be provided in a single row, or in more than two rows, or in still another arrangement. The advantages of the invention will still be obtained even if the passage means is in quite different form from that shown, and arranged quite differently, providing that the air-flow paths from each spinning unit, or the like, are substantially identical.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a textile installation, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention, and therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:

1. In a textile-installation for spinning fibrous material and converting such material into yarn, in combination, at least one row of spinning units arranged in substantially side-by-side relationship and extending in a given direction, each of said units having at least one discharge outlet which, during operation of the respective unit, discharges air therefrom; and elongated passage means extending along said row in communication with said discharge outlets, said passage means communicating with the ambient atmosphere over at least a major portion of its length, whereby the air flow discharged from each of said outlets will travel through said passage means to the ambient atmosphere along substantially identical flow paths so that the air-flow conditions in the respective spinning units are substantially identical.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein said passage means is bounded by a plurality of wall portions; and vent means provided in at least one of said wall portions.

3. The combination of claim 1; further comprising dust-trap means cooperating with said passage means for removing impurities contained in the air discharged from said outlets, whereby the air flow travelling through said passage means to the ambient atmosphere will enter the atmosphere substantially free of impurities- 4. The combination of claim 3; further comprising dismountable impurities-collecting means cooperating with said dust-trap means and arranged to receive entrapped impurities therefrom.

5. The combination of claim 1, said spinning units being arranged in two spaced rows and forming part of a textile-processing machine, and said passage means being provided between said rows.

6. The combination of claim 5, wherein said passage means is a central interior space within said textile machine, located between said spaced rows, and into which said discharge outlets open.

7. The combination of claim 2, wherein said vent means are arranged to guide air from said passage means substantially in an upwards direction.

8. The combination of claim 1, said passage means including a plurality of wall portions including at least one upper wall portion oriented at an angle to the horizontal.

9. The combination of claim 2, wherein said wall portions include side wall portions and ceiling portions, and wherein said at least one wall portion is a side wall portion.

10. The combination of claim 4, said dismountable impurities-collecting means being located at the bottom of said passage means. 

1. In a textile installation for spinning fibrous material and converting such material into yarn, in combination, at least one row of spinning units arranged in substantially side-by-side relationship and extending in a given direction, each of said units having at least one discharge outlet which, during operation of the respective unit, discharges air therefrom; and elongated passage means extending along said row in communication with said discharge outlets, said passage means communicating with the ambient atmosphere over at least a major portion of its length, whereby the air flow discharged from each of said outlets will travel through said passage means to the ambient atmosphere along substantially identical flow paths so that the air-flow conditions in the respective spinning units are substantially identical.
 2. The combination of claim 1, wherein said passage means is bounded by a plurality of wall portions; and vent means provided in at least one of said wall portions.
 3. The combination of claim 1; further comprising dust-trap means cooperating with said passage means for removing impurities contained in the air discharged from said outlets, whereby the air flow travelling through said passage means to the ambient atmosphere will enter the atmosphere substantially free of impurities.
 4. The combination of claim 3; further comprising dismountable impurities-collecting means cooperating with said dust-trap means and arranged to receive entrapped impurities therefrom.
 5. The combination of claim 1, said spinning units being arranged in two spaced rows and forming part of a textile-processing machine, and said passage means being provided between said rows.
 6. The combination of claim 5, wherein said passage means is a central interior space within said textile machine, located between said spaced rows, and into which said discharge outlets open.
 7. The combination of claim 2, wherein said vent means are arranged to guide air from said passage means substantially in an upwards direction.
 8. The combination of claim 1, said passage means including a plurality of wall portions including at least one upper wall portion oriented at an angle to the horizontal.
 9. The combination of claim 2, wherein said wall portions include side wall portions and ceiling portions, and wherein said at least one wall portion is a side wall portion.
 10. The combination of claim 4, said dismountable impurities-collecting means being located at the bottom of said passage means. 